(Kata POV – Kata's House)
'It's that day today.' I think lazily as I finish cooking.
I've made far more food than I normally would. Several dishes, neatly portioned, and steam rising gently from the plates as I set them on the table.
'This should be more than enough for everyone.' I think, and before I can dwell on it, rapid knocking echoes through the house. The rhythm betraying how excited they are.
I walk over, open the door, and am immediately greeted by a wall of smiles.
"Merry Christmas Eve!"
Their voices overlap in laughter and cheer, filling the entryway with sound.
"…Merry Christmas Eve?" I reply after a brief pause.
They blink.
Internally, I frown.
'Shouldn't it just be Merry Christmas on actual Christmas?' I wonder.
"Wow…" Mina says, planting a hand on her hip. "You don't sound excited at all."
She steps forward and lightly smacks my arm. "It's almost Christmas! You're supposed to have festive cheer!"
"But it's not Christmas yet." I say matter-of-factly.
There's a moment of silence as Mina stares at me.
Toru also just stares blankly at me.
Toru, who is fully visible today, her real and yellow eyes wide with confusion and concern.
"But… it's Christmas Eve…" Toru says slowly, almost uncertain now.
"I know." I reply. "But Christmas is the actual holiday."
Momo's eyes narrow slightly, as she looks at me thoughtfully. Then, she nods to herself, as if confirming a theory.
"I had a feeling." She says gently, then looks at me with quiet concern. "Kata… you've never really experienced Christmas before, have you?"
"Not really." I shrug. "When I was young, my parents didn't care. After they died, the orphanage didn't exactly have spare money for decorations and gifts. It's just another public holiday."
I pause.
"It's not a big deal to me, honestly. But—"
"You want Eri to experience it." Momo says softly, finishing the sentence for me. "That's why you asked us to help you prepare."
I nod.
Mina's grin fades, as shock flickers across her face before sadness settles in.
Toru bites her lip, looking just as heartbroken.
'Why do they look like they feel sorry for me?'
Then, without warning, all three move at once, and I'm pulled into a tight hug.
"No one should have to grow up like that." Toru murmurs, her voice smaller than usual.
"Yeah!" Mina adds fiercely, arms squeezing tighter. "Everyone deserves a real Christmas!"
Momo doesn't say anything, and just holds me, showing her shared support.
I return the hug automatically. I don't mind it. I've grown to really like hugs.
Even so—
'It's really not that big of an issue.' I think.
I wisely keep that thought to myself. They'd definitely get mad if they knew.
Still… I glance at the hallway that leads to Eri's room.
'If she enjoys it, then it's worth doing.' I reason. 'And if she doesn't, then we won't need to repeat it.'
"I've prepared a detailed guide for everything you need to know about Christmas!" Momo announces suddenly, pulling out a neatly organized notebook. The pages are tabbed and color-coded. "By the end of today, you'll be looking forward to it too." She beams.
Mina and Toru grin enthusiastically.
I sigh, already resigned. "All right. I trust you'll succeed."
They exchange happy glances.
"But first…" I add, gesturing toward the dining room. "We should eat breakfast. I've already set the table."
"Kata's cooking!" Mina cheers.
She and Toru immediately rush off, already arguing over who gets to sit next to me, while Momo smiles warmly at me before following them.
"I'll wake up Eri and Himiko." I mutter to myself, turning toward the hallway.
And for the first time, if nothing else Christmas feels like more than just a date on a calendar with them here.
(Momo POV – Kata's House)
'It seems I benefitted the most.' I think happily, sitting properly at the table with Eri comfortably settled on my lap.
Mina and Toru had rushed for their seats the moment breakfast was ready, but that worked out in my favor. When Kata went to wake Eri, I was the first to greet her.
"Come now, Eri." I encourage gently, adjusting the plate so it's easier for her to reach. "You should eat a little more."
She hums as she obediently takes another bite, swinging her legs beneath the chair. I can feel Mina and Toru's stares burning into my side, undoubtedly jealous, but I pay them no mind.
"Momo…" Eri groans softly, placing a small hand over her stomach. "I'm full…"
I smile without thinking. It's an unbearably cute sight.
"That's perfectly fine." I say warmly, picking up a napkin and carefully wiping the crumbs from her cheeks. She squirms a little, but doesn't resist.
Once she's done, Eri looks around the table, eyes moving from face to face.
"…Why are you all here today?" She asks innocently. "Did you come to see Kata?"
I feel warmth creep up my cheeks, before coughing lightly, and straightening my posture. "W-We came to help Kata prepare for Christmas tomorrow."
"Christ… mas?" Eri repeats slowly, tilting her head so far to the side I worry it might topple over. Her brow furrows as she thinks as hard as she can.
"It's a holiday." Toru adds helpfully.
Understanding immediately dawns on Eri's face.
"Tricky… treat?" She asks uncertainly, turning to look at Kata for confirmation.
Kata pauses, then breaks into a soft laugh.
"Here you go." He says casually, grabbing candy from seemingly empty space and placing it into her hands. "Happy trick-or-treating."
"Yay!" Eri beams, gripping the candy like treasure as her feet swing happily.
I shoot Kata a playful glare. He simply smiles back, utterly unapologetic.
"If you ever want candy, Eri…" He continues, clearly enjoying himself. "Just say 'tricky treat' and I'll give you as much as you want."
'He's definitely doing this on purpose.' I sigh internally.
"Trick or Treat is for Halloween, Eri." Mina says, leaning forward with a grin. "For Christmas, you say Merry Christmas! And since it's tomorrow…" She spreads her arms dramatically. "Merry Christmas Eve!"
"Merry Christmas Eve!" Toru and I echo.
Even Kata joins in.
Eri straightens immediately, gripping the candy tightly.
"M-Merry Christmas Eve!" She says far too seriously, bowing her head slightly.
Then she looks down at the sweets in her hands.
"…Should I not have candy?" She asks softly, shoulders drooping.
My heart clenches instantly.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, enclosing her hands around the candy again. "You can have it, Eri. As much as you like." I reassure gently. "Just don't eat too much, or your tummy will hurt."
Her face brightens immediately.
"Okay!" She giggles, unwrapping one and popping it into her mouth.
'…I'm completely helpless.' I think fondly. 'And I don't regret it at all.'
"So Christmas is coming again, huh?" Himiko suddenly pipes up, resting her chin in her hands. "Maybe it'll be fun this time."
Her tone is casual, but there's sombre undertone in her voice.
Toru, Mina, and I exchange glances.
No words are needed.
'Then we'll make it unforgettable!' We silently agree.
As the conversation continues, casual, peaceful, and full of small laughter, I quietly pull out my phone and send a message to the others, letting them know about the plan.
'This year, no one will be alone.'
(Kata POV – Kata's House)
After breakfast, things moved fast.
Much faster than I'd anticipated.
I had done my research beforehand, reading articles, watching videos, and even checking forums, and bought what I thought was a respectable amount of decorations.
But as I skim through Momo's notebook, my confidence steadily erodes.
'…I definitely missed a few things.'
I exhale quietly.
"There's quite a lot already prepared." Momo says thoughtfully, flipping through her neatly organized notes while surveying the living room. "But a few key items are missing."
She gestures around as if mentally mapping the space.
"We'll need more varied lighting, warmer tones, preferably, and stockings. Those are essential."
"That's where most of the snacks end up." Mina adds. "Can't do without them."
Momo smiles politely. "Definitely."
Before anyone can respond, she activates her quirk.
In an instant, neatly sewn stockings, and carefully crafted ornaments begin forming one by one. She works efficiently, barely pausing as she arranges everything into organized piles by size and function.
A few seconds later, she steps back, hands clasped.
"Perfect." She says brightly. "Now we can begin decorating properly."
We could've finished everything instantly if I'd used my quirk.
But… that would've ruined the activity.
So we do it by hand.
Even Eri helps.
"Up a little more… there!" Himiko says encouragingly, lifting Eri high enough so she can pin the stocking against the wall. Mina and Toru are busy nearby, untangling Christmas lights with varying degrees of success.
When Eri finally manages to secure it properly, everyone cheers.
She beams, clearly proud.
"What are these for?" She asks, pointing at the stockings.
Momo crouches so she's at eye level. "When everyone goes to sleep tonight, and Santa comes to visit…" She explains patiently. "He leaves small presents—treats, toys, and other little surprises—in those."
Eri's eyes widen.
"…Santa?" She asks.
The room falls completely silent.
Then—
"Oh! Santa's this big, jolly guy—"
"He wears red and has a beard—"
"He comes on a sleigh pulled by reindeer—"
"He only comes if you're good—"
"And he watches you all year—"
The explanations overlap into chaos.
Eri looks between us, stunned, then becomes delighted when the word presents registers.
Decorating the inside and outside of the house takes up most of the day.
I keep everyone fueled with snacks while laughter, teasing, and small arguments fill the air. It's… relaxing and peaceful.
Then, just as things begin to settle—
BOOM!
A heavy crash shakes the backyard.
Everyone jumps.
I don't.
"It's Rumi." I say calmly. "She brought the tree."
'I was planning to get one later anyway…' I think as we head outside. 'But I'm happy to save time. And Rumi's participating.' With the latter being of much greater value.
She stands in the yard, still in her hero costume, a massive fir tree slung over her shoulder. Dirt clings to the roots, and it's painfully obvious the tree was violently ripped out of the ground.
"Yo!" She grins, lifting a hand. "Got the tree. Where do you want it?"
I point towards a spot in the yard, while the rest remain stunned. "There's fine."
I use my quirk to dig a hole, and she drops the tree into it with zero care. I quietly reinforce it with healing telekinetic energy so it survives the experience.
"You just get back from patrol?" I ask.
"Yep." She replies, stretching her arms with a loud pop. "I'm taking tomorrow off though."
Mina recovers first.
"That's perfect!" She says brightly. "Help us decorate the tree next. Kata and Eri are gonna cook dinner."
Rumi raises an eyebrow.
So do I.
'…Is she trying to get rid of us?'
I don't question it. I'm sure she has her reasons. They probably want to discuss something amongst themselves.
"It's almost time for dinner anyway." I say, lifting Eri, much to Momo's visible disappointment. "Will anyone else be dropping by?"
"Not from what I know." Mina answers. "Nejire's coming tomorrow, and Mei said she's busy making something huge."
"Then I guess it's just the seven of us." I nod.
I glance down at Eri. "Alright, let's go, Chef Eri." I smile remembering the origin of the nickname from months ago.
Her face lights up immediately.
"Dinner will be delicious!" She promises proudly.
"I have no doubt." I say, carrying her toward the kitchen.
*********
A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all?
So, this is the requested Christmas Omake. Actually, it's part 1😅. It was actually longer, with Christmas Eve being a setup to the actual Christmas day. And the put I moved to the next chapter, was the evening after dinner as Eri's POV. Felt it better, since the next chapter is Eri's reactions and perspective of everything happening on Christmas day, so yeah.
I don't have much to say. Eri is being cute🤣. But in terms of what's happening...
This is semi-canon. Semi, because I don't want to be locked into anything before the timeline reached this point, but I made what's currently happening canon as of this moment, but could be subject to change. This is like 6 months in the future (since the current timeline is early June), and is closer to an epilogue, since the book would end long before Christmas arrived.
And overall, I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm avoiding revealing the conclusions and major changes that would've happened. So yeah... I'll probably release part 2 around New year's, and tomorrow I'll upload the normal MHA chapter.
As for completely unrelated things... I'm wondering. In terms of presents for the girls, would Christmas themed "outfits" be too much👀. I wouldn't write the NSFW since I'm already shit at group scenes, much less NSFW group scenes, but writing that stuff did happen is no issue. Or would normal gifts be better?
Anyway, that's all from me. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day/night 😁